Hard State the State: Part II Quiz / Test | Geography

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Its official name is the longest of any state in the Union.

Answer: Rhode Island

The official name of the state is the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". It is also the second most densely populated state in the USA after New Jersey. Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown and the last of the thirteen colonies to ratify the US Constitution in 1790.

2. It has the highest elevation capital city in the USA.

Answer: New Mexico

The capital city of New Mexico is Santa Fe which is 7,199 feet above sea level. It is approximately 2,000 feet higher than the second highest capital city in Denver, Colorado. The highest city in the USA, although not a capital cityn is Leadville, Colorado (10,200 feet).

3. Which state has its official state horse as the Appaloosa?

Answer: Idaho

The Appaloosa is an American breed of horse which is recognizable by its spotted patterns. It was named as the Idaho official state horse in 1975 and is best known as a stock horse.

4. It's the birth state of Chuck Yeager, Don Knotts and Mary Lou Retton.

Answer: West Virginia

Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to exceed the speed of sound (sound barrier) in 1947. Don Knotts (1924-2006) was an actor who was best known as Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" during the 1960s. Mary Lou Retton (gymnast) was the first American female to win an Olympic gold medal in the individual all-round competition.

5. From east to west it is the widest state in the USA.

Answer: Hawaii

Hawaii is over 1,500 miles wide, comprised of 132 islands, reefs and shoals. In second place is Alaska with a width east to west of 1,480 miles which is nearly three times as wide as Texas.

6. The 31st President of the United States was born here.

Answer: Iowa

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) was born in West Branch, Iowa. Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States from 1929-1933. He was succeeded by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

7. This state hosted the World's Fair in 1974.

Answer: Washington

Spokane hosted the World's Fair in 1974 and is the smallest city in size to host the event. It was known as Expo '74 and was an International Exposition on the Environment. Washington is the only state named after a former U.S. President.

8. It is the home of the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the nation.

Answer: Florida

Saint Augustine, Florida was founded in 1565. The city served as the capital of Spanish Florida for over 200 years and also British East Florida (60 years). Spain ceded Florida to the USA in 1819, however, Tallahassee became the capital in 1824.

9. State motto is "Nil sine numine".

Answer: Colorado

The state motto of Colorado is "Nil sine numine" (Latin) and translates into English as "Nothing without providence" dating from 1861. The nickname of the state is "The Centennial State" as Colorado was admitted to the Union 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

10. A 13 year old designed the state flag.

Answer: Alaska

A competition was sponsored for Alaskan school-children in grades 7-12 to submit designs for the Territory of Alaska flag. Benny Benson, a 13 year old school boy, won the competition in 1927 and received US $1,000 and an engraved watch. When Alaska was admitted to the Union in 1959 it maintained the design as the state flag.

11. It was the first state to ratify the United States constitution.

Answer: Delaware

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States on December 7, 1787. Since then the state has promoted itself as "The First State". The state is named after Thomas West (3rd Baron De La Warr) an English nobleman and the first colonial governor of Virginia.

12. It's the only state in the Union that does not have counties, but parishes.

Answer: Louisiana

Louisiana has political subdivisions termed parishes, which is the local government's equivalent to counties used in other states. Alaska also does not have counties but boroughs. Louisiana has 64 parishes and the term comes from French "paroisse" and Spanish "parroquia" as Louisiana was formed as a French and Spanish colony.

13. The world's first drive-in service station appeared in this state.

Answer: Pennsylvania

In 1913 the first drive-in service station opened on the corner of Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Gulf Refining Company.

14. The nation's first department store that has continuously been in operation as a department store from its opening in 1868, until well into the 21st Century, is here.

Answer: Utah

The nation's first department store, Zions Co-operative Mercantile Institution, (ZCMI) was established in 1868. The original building is still in operation as a Macy's. The Marble Palace in New York City opened as a department store in 1846 but has not been a department store throughout its existence. It has been a warehouse, newspaper house and currently is used as government offices.

15. This state is the largest wool and cotton producer in the USA.

Answer: Texas

Texas leads all other states in the production of wool and cotton. In wool production Texas leads California and Wyoming. In cotton production Texas leads California and Arizona.

Source: Author zambesi

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State the State: Part II Trivia Quiz

There are 50 states in the USA. Can you identify these 15 States from the clues that are given? The clues vary from people, history, state symbols, production, geography, dates and other trivia which is sometimes not that obvious.

Questions		Choices
1. Its official name is the longest of any state in the Union.		Hawaii
2. It has the highest elevation capital city in the USA.		Washington
3. Which state has its official state horse as the Appaloosa?		Pennsylvania
4. It's the birth state of Chuck Yeager, Don Knotts and Mary Lou Retton.		Utah
5. From east to west it is the widest state in the USA.		Iowa
6. The 31st President of the United States was born here.		Florida
7. This state hosted the World's Fair in 1974.		Alaska
8. It is the home of the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the nation.		Rhode Island
9. State motto is "Nil sine numine".		Louisiana
10. A 13 year old designed the state flag.		Colorado
11. It was the first state to ratify the United States constitution.		New Mexico
12. It's the only state in the Union that does not have counties, but parishes.		West Virginia
13. The world's first drive-in service station appeared in this state.		Texas
14. The nation's first department store that has continuously been in operation as a department store from its opening in 1868, until well into the 21st Century, is here.		Delaware
15. This state is the largest wool and cotton producer in the USA.		Idaho